It Started With A Danish...

Keeping within the theme of crappy skin, I will fast forward to the present - July 2018. I am no longer a teenager but scarily middle aged (45- EEK)

So, generally I try to keep my eating as clean as possible, my skin, mood and whole body reacts negatively to junk in my diet. Although my indulgences may seem small to some, I just want to highlight what it did to my skin.

So let's start with that danish. My daughter works at a local bakery with incredible food! I'm generally gluten free as my skin reacts badly to gluten. (Large painful volcanic masses appear randomly) So there's not much that I can partake in, which is OK and will usually will keep me away from their delicious treats. Well, a couple of Monday's ago she came home with three leftover danishes. My thought process said - DON'T DO IT! I promptly gave one to my son and his workmate and then I just had to have the last one. I had been super healthy up to this point and thought, ahhh go on - treat yourself. The speed with which that danish was consumed was ugly, it was so incredibly amazing that I spent the next hour wondering if my son was in fact going to eat his. Sadly he did! (Broke my heart).

No immediate effects to the skin. So the week continued and on the Tuesday after work I noticed there was a king sized bar of chocolate opened on the bench - I had to have some!  It was delicious and I ate most of the bar, much to my husbands dismay (It was his chocolate, and he didn't even realise he was going to share it). Wednesday I got off to a healthy start, but I knew that I had bookclub that night. Wednesday was finished off with a whole lot of cheese, red wine and a piece of the most unbelievable chocolate cheesecake. (Still dreaming about it)

Friday and Saturday I made pancakes for breakfast and on Sunday I just went for it. Watching Netflix with the fire on, under a blanket -  well what else is more heavenly on a gloomy rainy Sunday am I right? I topped my week off in a big way with potato chips (Yes the whole bag) and dozens of lollies followed by a big feed of Fish and Chips with the whole family. (Funnily enough I felt sick).

The next day I can safely say I felt unwell and hungover. Headachy, in need of healthy food and gallons of water. It was time to take hold of myself and be gently directed back to eating nutritious food. (Food is your petrol after all).

So a week later my skin is having a screaming tantrum. I have three large new spots plus redness spreading from my nose right down to my mouth and chin. What  does a beauty therapist do to take care of this (Especially when she knew this was coming?) she does a salicylic peel while she cleans the bathroom, and then after the shower coats her face in a hydrating mask. (Please spots - leave my face!)

The aim of today's blog is not only to reiterate that we are what we eat, but also to be real. Even if we are super healthy, there are moments of gluttony and greed when it comes to food. It's just really good to get to know your body to be self aware of what works for you and what doesn't.

What I failed to mention - which is not beauty therapy related at all - is that my energy levels were super low last week because of the sugar and junk injection. By Friday I was exhausted. Had I changed anything? Nope - only my food.

So why do I know for sure that these delicious delights have created skin issues for me? I have a list of congesting and heating foods from one of my suppliers. Each food on the list doesn't necessarily contribute to breakouts for me, but having tried and tested each food I know which ones do. So I will list what I know has made my skin unhappy and what it does to my skin.

1. Sugar - sugar can be inflammatory to your system and your skin. This caused the redness on my nose, upper lip and chin, and takes a few days to dissipate. (So here we have the danish,chocolate, red wine, maple syrup, pancakes, chocolate cheesecake and lollies - gosh what a list)
2. Milk Solids - For me when I consume too many food items which contain milk solids I get tiny hard bumps along my cheekbones. (So here once again there are a few contenders, chocolate, chocolate cheesecake and cheese, plus to top it all off the custard on my danish)
3. Gluten - For me this sends my skin in a spin! Creates and grows large painful pimples. (Here we have the danish and fish batter)
4. Greasy foods - These are just unhealthy for the skin and can encourage new skin blockages. (Fish and chips plus a whole bag of potato chips - what a winning combo to make my skin a bit off colour).

Anyway, that is how last weeks danish sent me and my skin into a spin. Resulting in a few more minutes of make up application for the next week or two. However the peel and mask treatment whilst partaking in my housework duties have certainly helped.

Signing off now - Tracey Keefe (Your Skin Sympathiser)

What the heck is a chemical peel?

Let me explain...

There are many misconceptions when you mention the words chemical and peel, resulting in many people being too intimidated and frightened to go in for their first peel treatment.

The fear of leaving with a bright red face that hurts prevents some from experiencing the many benefits a peel can offer. 

When you have a peel at Blush you are in safe hands. All our therapists are knowledgable, experienced and trained in advanced skin treatments. When choosing a peel for your skin, we base the decision on what you would like to achieve and to begin correcting any issues you may be having with your skin, as well as taking into account any past sensitivities your skin may have experienced.

SO WHAT EXACTLY IS A PEEL?

A peel is a solution which we apply to a thoroughly cleansed skin. Most peels will have some form of acid in them (another scary word). Ingredients like Salicylic Acid, Lactic Acid and AHA’s are all molecules that when placed on the surface of the skin have the ability to munch their way through redundant skin cells. An analogy I use to help people understand what a peel does is to get you to imagine a piece of toast. A peel can take the toast back to a soft piece of bread.

They really are fantastic things! I have been using peels as a therapist for over 20 years. We have many different peel options with a multitude of different actions that we can choose from. They have changed and progressed over the years with improved and more sophisticated ingredients, which give better results. Most of our facial treatments incorporate peels.

They improve skin texture, fine lines, breakouts and can help to even out skin tone, leaving you with a clearer happier skin.

Peels are easy to work into your busy lifestyle. There is no downtime with the peels we use at Blush — you’ll leave your appointment with a healthy glow and will be able to carry on with your day. There are a few steps to ensure that you gain the best results. Following a post-procedure home care regime recommended by your therapist can and will enhance your results. You should also avoid anything that causes sweating for 24-48 hours after your treatment.

In our treatment menu the peels are a little hidden, so I have included below what each treatment involves. These treatments can be found under the facial heading in our website.

BLUSH QUICK RESULTS FACIAL 45 MINS $112

A treatment where your therapist will choose either microdermabrasion, a peel or a sonophoresis infusion. Great as a course over 6 weeks to improve hydration, lines, wrinkles, and blemishes.

Includes - Double cleanse – Your therapist chooses one modality out of microdermabrasion, a peel or a sonophoresis infusion- Treatment Masque for your skin concern – Facial massage to clear and increase circulation in the skin. - Aromatherapy hot towel compresses - Serums, creams and sun care.

We have many peels that we can choose from to use in this facial. Your therapist will make the choice after doing a brief consultation. Our peels exfoliate the surface of the skin, hydrate and promote healing. We begin to clear blemishes, and infuse ingredients to make a change. (more than one peel is required for significant acne).

Microdermabrasion is a true favourite in the salon. It is an instant feel good treatment as results are immediate. Microdermabrasion works on the surface of your skin intensively exfoliating with tiny crystals. Perfect for polishing pores and giving lines and wrinkles a plumped up look. Microdermabrasion is not for every skin, so ask your therapist if it is right for you.

Our Sonophoresis machine can be used on almost any skin. We infuse ingredients into the skin at the same time as exciting the skin cells. sonophoresis leaves your skin feeling calm, hydrated and wrinkles are plumped.

TAILORED RESULTS 45 MINS $135 | SERIES OF 6 $650

Skilled hands + advanced pro dermal peel. (Here we choose from three enzyme based peels which will exfoliate and nourish the skin) Perfect. This IS the next generation of skin treatments, this is not just a peel to strip the skin back, this is a skin specific blend of high end active vitamins, peptides and antioxidants harmoniously blended with carefully chosen AHA, BHA and enzymes in advanced delivery systems to ensure skin is rebuilt, strengthened and repaired from the inside out.

Includes - Double cleanse - Cranberry exfoliant polishes skin to supremely smooth texture - Aromatic Hot Towel compresses - Exfoliation (a peel will be chosen to benefit your skin) - Alginate Mask to dose skin with nutrients for your skin goals - Repairing Massage melts away tension in neck and shoulders - Aromatherapy hot towel compresses - Serums, creams and sun care.

Add on an LED light to this treatment for only $40 – you will need an extra 20 minutes.

Combining the next generation of skin treatments and LED light therapy means this facial will make a serious impact on your skin. All the high end active vitamins, peptides and antioxidants delivered with the peel and then the energy delivered to the cells with the LED light, what a game changer.

BLUSH ADVANCED 60 MINS $153

Beyond everything you’ve ever experienced in a facial, Blush Advanced utilizes either a Peel OR Microdermabrasion and then our LED light therapy. This facial gives the skin a good buffing and then adds energy to the cells from within.

Includes: - Double cleanse - Exfoliation (via a peel or microdermabrasion) - LED light therapy - arm and hand massage - Treatment Masque for your skin concern - Repairing Massage melts away tension in neck and shoulders - Aromatherapy hot towel compresses - Serums, creams and sun care.

January 2018 

15 tips to glowing and happy skin this summer

If you don't already have a twice daily skincare routine, don't despair, it's never too late. Cleansing your face/upper chest morning and night and following with a hydrator only takes about 5 minutes out of your day. Add in a sunblock on a daily basis after your hydrator and you have an anti-ageing plan in place. To gain results should you already be a master of these basics, add in a serum or two and gently exfoliate once or twice a week. If you need help for a more serious skin concern, or you feel that your youth is slipping away far too rapidly, we are here to help and have many products and treatments available. Here are a few tips that you may or may not have read before, that can help keep your skin happy and healthy.

1. Skip the long, steamy showers and opt for shorter, cooler sprays. Long, hot showers strip skin of it's moisture and wash away your own natural protective oils. So limit showers to 10 minutes and keep the water cool. Always apply a moisturiser to your face and body after showering.  
2. Treat your neck and chest like an extension of your face. Your neck and upper chest area is covered by very sensitive skin, making it a prime spot for telltale signs of ageing such as dryness, pigmentation, broken capillaries and wrinkles. To keep this area youthful, use cleansers  that hydrate and cleanse gently rather than soaps and harsh shower gels, which can be drying. Top it all off with a good facial hydrator, and sunblock daily. If this area is extra dry, use a hydraying mask twice a week, or book a facial.
3. For soft, youthful-looking hands and feet, slather on a rich body butter and then slip on thin fabric socks and gloves while you sleep.
4. Exfoliate your face once or twice a week with a gentle facial scrub, or an enzyme based mask. It is important as the years go by to help your skin rid itself of redundant skin cells, but be gentle. You could potentially be wasting your hydrator by moisturising skin cells that are ready to shed. Exfoliating on a regular basis will keep your skin smoother, clearer and enable your skincare products to penetrate more efficiently.
5. Dry body brush daily to keep ingrown hairs and dry skin under control. Before your shower, gently start at the toes and work your way up your body with short strokes. This will help with lymphatic drainage and therefore help with the elimination of toxins in the body and it only takes about 2 minutes.
6. If you’re gearing up for a day in the sun, steer clear of perfumes. This can lead to areas of pigmentation when exposed to the sun. Lather yourself in sunblock and reapply as necessary. The sun is our worst enemy not only causing skin cancer, but also premature ageing.
7. Go for a run, ride your bike, work out in the garden —anything that gets you sweating. Sweating is nature’s way of eliminating toxic chemicals that can build up under skin. Plus, regular exercise maintains healthy circulation and blood flow throughout your body, including your skin. If you’re exercising outdoors, though, remember to wear a sunblock wherever you are exposed that protects against UVA and UVB rays.
8. Switch hydrators every few months. When you introduce new and different active ingredients the skin works harder. When using the same hydrator all year round your skin can get used to it making it less effective.
9. In Summer often we require a lighter hydrator for the day, especially if we are prone to perspiring. Often we will still need more hydration at night. Adding in an oil or serum to go hand in hand with you hydrator at night can be the missing link for your skin.
10. Avoid these three skin destroyers: Smoking, tanning salons and sunbathing. All three will age your skin prematurely.
11. For double skin protection, apply a serum containing vitamin C to your skin either with or before your hydrator.  Vitamin C is an antioxidant and helps prevent skin damage, dehydration and wrinkles. 
12. Use a hydrating mask at home 2-3 times a week. Great to use before a special occasion to keep skin looking plumped and healthy.
13. Keep your hands off your face! Because your hands touch so many surfaces, they are full of unhelpful bacteria. Every time you touch your face you transfer everything on your hands to your face.
14. Keep up the water intake. In summer when we get dehydrated so does our skin. Try to replace coffee and tea with herbal tea or water. Stop with one glass of wine or one alcoholic drink. Overdoing it enlarges the blood vessels near the surface of your facial skin and over time can lead to broken capillaries.
15. Summer brings pollen and hay fever. Try to prevent rubbing your eyes. The skin around your eyes is extremely delicate, especially under your eyes. So be gentle with your face at all times. If your eyes itch, apply a cold compress or washcloth to the area. 

If you require advice on your skin and how we can help, please don’t hesitate to send us an email on tracey@blushbeauty.co.nz or book a skin consultation. We have many products and treatments that can radically improve the skin. Sometimes it may be a dietary element or poor sleeping that are contributing to your skin health, in a skin consultation we delve into your lifestyle, skincare, water intake, diet, sleep and stress. We take a look holistically to gain the best results. If it anti-aging advice you are after and a plan to slow the wrinkles we have our Dermafrac machine which tackles anti-aging head on, and in March our new Dermapen will be in the salon. We are passionate about helping each and every one of you to find your perfect skin. We only get one skin – look after it because it’s the one thing you can’t replace.